Platters! Cups!! and a bowl.

These are the final photos of china painted by members of the wedding party and family at the Clay Cafe--where, after the rehearsal dinner/painting party, the painted pieces were given a clear glaze then fired. The goat platter


has a special significance: The Bride and Groom met in the Persian Gulf, training Pakistani naval officers in meterological and sonar equipment. Several Pakistani lieutenants couldn't believe that TBTB wasn't married; she needed a husband, several said, to give her support and a position. One was so insistant that TGTB joked she'd best be careful, or the lieutenant would call her parents and offer three goats for her hand. TBTB responded she thought she was worth at least four goats. Which, TGTB now says, started him thinking. . . .

here a platter, with a hideaway home for the couple, complete with bridge.

Butterfly girl Yona painted this cup (with a little help from mom Rebecca)--there's a photo of Yona painting the cup farther down in the blog.



and another cup with a sun peeping over




and one of two bowls


These are just a few samples of the china painted at the Clay Cafe--a great deal of fun for family and friends, and lasting memories for the Bridal Couple!

More Plates!

And a reminder: the Wedding Party and family met at the Clay Cafe (www.claycafecolumbus.com/ClayHome1.htm) after the rehearsal to paint china for The Wedding Couple, on the theme of voyages

--that's why this tropical isle--




and this variation on a Greek temple --

the Eiffel Tower is a good place to visit

not to mention the Pyramids

and one family created four plates:

Michael, Lisa, and Zoe, old friends from

Kansas City with connections to Hallmark (calligraphers stick together!).

--and we can travel via seahorse!

Lots of plates!

The range of decorations--and interpretations of the theme of voyages--were large--some included travel process, like Aunt Flavia's image of Kat and Pat riding a cow over the moon--

both look pretty pleased with the journey!

Modes of travel also cropped up--horses, and marching penguins, and pigs

Pat's sister Kathy provided a cute bear

And grandneice Heather drew her new Aunt Kat

while others provided advice -- and a promise of a voyage--

More fun at the Clay Cafe

More at the Clay Cafe; here's Nina, cousin of The Bride, working on a plate




and The Groom, with stepmother Judy to
his right, and her friends Sandy and Betty

Yona, the Butterfly Girl, and her mother Rebecca,
cousin in law to The Bride, decorate a coffee cup.



Yona paints!



Tom and Susan, parents of Kira the ring bearer, smile through pain--Tom drove in from Pennsylvania despite the first stages of the flue.

They can't paint, but Caleb and Joey, with proud dads Christopher and Carl (and sons of Rebecca and Nina) provide cuteness

To come (once the photos are processed!): the timeless treasures created at the Clay Cafe. It was all great fun, and a terrific way to celebrate with friends and family in a relaxed way!

Clay Cafe

After the rehearsal, the wedding party and family met at the Clay Cafe (www.claycafecolumbus.com/ClayHome1.htm) for the 'rehearsal dinner'--and to paint dishes as gifts for the wedding couple. TBTB and her party chowed down first.

as did Bobbie, MOTG, and his sister, Kathy


Usher Denise and Rev. Marie plan their piece

while ring bearer Kira paints away

TBTB engages in intense conversation

while Helen eats

and TBTB's Aunt Flavia creates

At the rehearsal

TBTB and TGTB nuzzle a bit while waiting




MOTB photographs the rehearsal lineup


POTB now have known TGTB for 5 days!

Helen, bridesmaid at POTB wedding, and Tom arrive from New Jersey

Navy Wedding Rehearsal and Clay Cafe

The rehearsal pulls everybody together for the first time: the Wedding Party assembles -- minus groomsman Dave, replacing groomsman Al, trapped in Biloxi by Hurricane Katrina (we tried asking FEMA for help getting him out--but got no response!)



TBTB and TGTB share a laugh with Rev. Marie